New home for rare ‘roo

l PORT DOUGLAS

| Isaac Colman

AN exhibit for a rare Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo has reopened at Port Douglas. With the help of international volunteers who participated in the Wildlife Habitat’s volunteer program, the enclosure has been transformed into a vibrant and enriching environment for tree kangaroo Quinton.

CaPTA Group wildlife manager Rabecca Lynch said Quinton’s new exhibit featured a diverse selection of tree species, providing him with a range of perching opportunities to challenge and enhance his muscle strength and balance. The branches in the exhibit bend, flex, sway, and swing, creating an engaging and stimulating environment.

She said the move to the new exhibit would benefit both Quinton’s health and wellbeing.

“With access to two exhibits, Quinton now has the freedom to choose where he spends his time, making his daily life more engaging and enjoyable,” she said.

“The increased space and enriching experiences available in the new facility will promote his physical and mental stimulation, encouraging natural behaviours and offering exciting new sensations.”

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

LOOKING to break the stigma and support patients with chronic conditions, six local pharmacists have joined to create the first medicinal cannabis dispensary and specialist pharmacy in North Queensland.

Wildleaf Dispensary will be opening its doors in mid-August in Cairns North on 321 Sheridan St to offer patients alternative health solutions for afflictions like cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

With decades of experience, pharmacists Janelle Dockray, Pippa Travers-Mason, Phil Anderson, Gift Ladarat, Malcolm Anderson and Nathan Dobbie will become the founders of North Queensland’s first ever medicinal cannabis dispensary, Wildleaf Dispensary, and they want to remind patients across the region that medicinal cannabis is safe, supervised and must be referred by their GP.

“We’re seeing the use of medicinal cannabis growing, so there’s a greater demand for alternative treatments. When patients aren’t responding to conventional therapies, this is an option for them and we’re wanting to bring a different take on the dispensary so people can feel supported,” Ms Dockray said.

Wildleaf Dispensary will be offering a range of options for patients with chronic pain, cancer, insomnia, anxiety and more with topical options, CBD oils, oral alternatives and will look to expand their catalogue in the future according to the needs of their patients.

“Medicinal cannabis can be used to treat a lot of conditions, it’s not a panacea, it doesn’t fix everything, and we certainly don’t want to create that misconception that it’s a solve-all,” Ms Travers-Mason said.

“Once a patient’s been to their doctor and they’ve deemed it appropriate to try this therapy we will be offering various forms of medicinal cannabis, most commonly in oil form, and overtime we’ll expand into other dosage forms,” Ms Dockray said.

The team also aims to not only support patients but also supply information to GPs, offer consulting rooms and telehealth services and review patient’s medicines to recommend the products that best adapt to their treatments.

“Like anything that’s new there is some stigma around medicinal cannabis but we want to help and support patients so they can access this medicine and see how it can help them,” Ms Dockray said.

“Give them information and guidance and advocate in the area to reduce the stigma, so people don’t feel like they’re doing anything wrong,” Ms Travers-Mason said.

“And for this to be the first one to provide this service in NQ is a huge step forward.”

For more information, visit visit www. wildleafdispensary.com.au